A Family Vacation in Chicago

Chicago’s Millennium Park offers free outdoor concerts on the lawn at the park’s Pritzker Pavilion, which was designed by Frank Gehry.

Any family planning a getaway to the Windy City will have a host of options to choose from. The following are a few of the best attractions for those traveling with children.

At the top of the Willis Tower, visitors will find dazzling views of up to four states, as seen from the building’s Skydeck. The bravest of the brave can even hang out 1,353 feet in the air on an all-glass ledge.

From there, take a water taxi for glimpses of the Tribune Tower and the Wrigley Building, or cruise on Lake Michigan between the Museum Campus and Navy Pier for unbeatable views of the Chicago Skyline. At Navy Pier, families can ride the 150-foot Ferris wheel or the pier’s famous swings, as well as check out the Chicago Children’s Museum for interactive fun.

More hands-on entertainment awaits on Chicago’s South Side, at the Bronzeville Children’s Museum, America’s only African-American Children’s Museum. A must visit is the Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park, where a 40-foot-tall replica tornado is sure to wow the kids.

Back on the Magnificent Mile, the Original Gino’s East pizzeria will satisfy everyone’s appetites – plus, visitors get to graffiti their names on the walls. Next, hop onboard an O’Leary’s Chicago Fire Truck Tours, which offer guided rides on an antique fire truck past city landmarks.

For another guided tour option, try Bobby’s Bike Hikes, which share Chicago trivia on the way to Lincoln Park Zoo for some animal petting. Kids ages 4 and up can join in the fun, and tours come with bikes, helmetsm and a knowledgeable guide.

Millennium Park’s Crown Fountain is a perfect place for kids to cool off. Catch a free outdoor concert on the lawn at the park’s Pritzker Pavilion, and grab a bite at Gold Coast Hot Dogs for Chicago-style eats.